City Auto gives back as Jazz Fest title sponsor

Apr. 10, 2013

Written by

Laura Beth Payne

Next month, more than 10,000 music enthusiasts will gather in Murfreesboro’s Downtown to celebrate the 17th annual Main Street Jazz Fest. This year, City Auto takes center stage as the title sponsor as part of company’s belief that giving back isn’t simply an opportunity, but an obligation.

Originally established in Memphis in 1988 as a wholesale business, City Auto expanded to selling cars to the public, becoming known for selling vehicles at significant savings. When they opened the doors of their Murfreesboro location in January last year, they were “not disappointed,” says marketing manager Lynsey Freeman. “It’s a great community,” she says. “The growth of jobs, business investment and the population boom and MTSU all add up to a tremendously vibrant community.”

The company is known for its charitable work with organizations such as Susan G. Komen Memphis, Methodist Le Bonheur and Methodist Sickle Cell Center, Red Cross, Angel Tree, and others. Owner and CEO David Andrews describes the Jazz Fest sponsorship as a perfect match for the company’s philosophy. “Jazz Fest is a great example of the type event we like to be a part of,” he says, “Family oriented, community-oriented, and great for the area economy.”

“We were really impressed with the revitalization that has taken place on Main Street,” says Freeman. “We appreciate how good that is for those merchants and the community as a whole—we want to be a part of it.”

Main Street Executive Director Kathleen Herzog applauds the company’s involvement. “They have a lot of enthusiasm for the community, to make a difference,” she says. “We are absolutely thrilled with the partnership.”

City Auto will also provide volunteers, a hospitality booth, and vehicle display at Jazz Fest. They will also continue their support of Main Street this summer as co-sponsors of the first two concerts in the Friday Night Live Concert series in June and July.

“City Auto has been tremendously successful,” says Freeman, “and we understand that with that success we have an obligation to give back to the communities where we do business. It’s pretty straightforward: we do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

About Jazz Fest

The 17th annual Jazz Fest will be held Downtown on May 3rd and 4th featuring the sounds of “Future Jazz Greats” from local high school jazz band on Friday evening, while area jazz ensembles and special guests Marcus Finnie Band, Dara Tucker and Quintet, Joe Davidian and Friends, and Joe Johnson perform on Saturday. Marcus Finnie will also host a workshop on Saturday. For schedule updates, opportunities to volunteer, and other event information, go to downtownmurfreesboro.com.